Archbishop Rev Dominic Jala’s body Reaches city

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: The mortal remains of the Archbishop Dominic Jala arrived here on Sunday evening. Earlier on Sunday morning, his mortal remains arrived from San Francisco, USA in New Delhi and later it was brought to Guwahati airport.

State Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma his Cabinet colleague, Lakhmen Rymbui, Planning Board Chairman, Lambor Malngiang and other legislators including Ampareen Lyngdoh and Himalaya Shangpliang, besides BJP Rajya Sabha MP KJ Alphons were there to receive the mortal remains.

From the airport, it was taken to the Salesian Provincial House, Guwahati. From there, the mortal remains of the Archbishop was taken to Byrnihat Parish. All along the street, hundreds of faithfuls lined the street with candles in hand to pay their last homages.

Meanwhile, the mortal remains will be taken to Nongpoh Parish, Umsning Parish and Mawlai Parish for the faithfuls to pay their last respects. Then, the mortal remains will be kept in his parental home at Mawlai, Phudmuri for the night.

From October 21 until the funeral on October 23, the body will be kept in the Mary Help of Christian Cathedral Church for the public to pay their last respects.

He will be laid to rest on the cathedral compound, as per the Archbishop's wish. However, as per convention, deceased bishops are laid to rest inside cathedrals.

But according to Church authorities, Archbishop Jala had told priests and laity that his body should be buried outside the cathedral and not inside.

Archbishop Rev Dominic died in a car accident at Colusa County, Oakland, California, USA, on October 10, along with Father Mathew Vellankal, an Indian priest who served as the pastor of St. Bonaventure Church in Concord, California. Another Indian priest, Father Joseph Parekkatt who accompanied them, was seriously wounded.

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